From the Enslaved to the Empress (Athena) novel Chapter 283

Chapter 283

It wasn’t until Athena felt the warmth of Xander’s hands at her waist that she finally realized she had lost her composure

Flustered, Athena let go of Xander, her cheeks already finged pink.

She lowered her head to hide her embarrassment.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, her voice barely reaching his car. let my emotions get the better of me.”

Xander’s gaze followed Athena as she stopped away. Just moments ago, she had been laughing and dancing in his arms, radiating a joy he had seen before

Her soft warmth in his arms was a bliss he’d never even dared to imagine

However, it ended too soon, gone before he could even fully saverit.

He didn’t want to let go, but he was afraid that if he held on any longer, Athena would pull away from him for good

So he reminded himself, again and again, that there was still time. Plenty of time.

“It’s fine,” Xander said quietly. These two words cost him more than he cared to admit.

To spare Athena any further embarrassment, Xander gently changed the subject, saying, “General Perkins is safe and sound now. You can finally put your mind at ease”

Tears welled in Her eyes as she read the letter again, and then again.

Her fingers traced every stroke of the handenting, as if afraid it might disappear like a dream

Only once she was certain did the tears begin to fall; soft, joyful, and unstoppable.

Athena looked up at Xander, blinking fast, trying in vain to stop them,

The trans rolled down her cheeks, splashing onto the floor, each drop striking Kander’s heart like a hammer blow

Xander’s heart ached for her. He longed to shield her from the world’s cruelty, to stand between her and every blow.

Buthe knew Athena too well. She would never accept a life lived in someone else’s shadow,

Her late was hers to shape, not his to safeguard.

Xander gazed admiringly at Athena, his eyes brimming with tendemess.

Suddenly, a thought sparked in Athena’s mind. She hurriedly wiped the tears from her face and guided Xander to sit down beside her.

“Prince Xander,”

,” she said. “Thave something important to show you”

Seeing how tense Athena was, Xander’s expression turned

Then, Athena retrieved the old case file from the drawer and spread it open on the table.

Inside was Kurtis’s confession given after his imprisonment, complete with his signature and official seal

Achina frowned in confusion and asked, “Given my grandfather’s character, he’d never admit to something he didn’t do at from his arest to saging the confession, it only took two days. That’s highly suspicious!”

Xander turned to Athena sharply, his face growing tersa. “Where did you get that

1/3

3:80%會

Π

Chapter 291

Then, Athena beld nothing back and explained the deal she had made with Rebey.

After hearing her explanation, Kandered an eyebrow in surprise and remarked, “You’ve got nerves of steel

Athena was bracing herself for his reprimand, but Xander merely gave her a fleeting glance before lowering his gaze to the case file,

His long lashes lowered, vering the emotions in his eyes.

With amp fick of his finger against the folder, he murmured. “Something is off here“:

Athena leaned in for a closer look, her gaze following Kander’s finger to a specific line in the confession

read “Accepted fifty thousand tacks of silver in bribes”

“What’s off about that Alheta asked.

“Back then, poly forty–three thousand taels of ill–gotten silver were uncovered,” Xander said in a low voice, his piercing gaze fixed on the other. “So wh did the extra silver go?”

Kander’s usually icy eyes now sparkled brightly in the light

Athena thought for a moment, then asked him, “Could they have mistaken it for my grandfather’s hidden stash?”

Athena’s heart jolted, a spark of hope flashing in her eyes. “If I can just find the pawn ticket from back then, does that mean I can prove Grandfather

Kander felt a warm satisfaction as he saw the renewed spark in Athena’s eyes. “Go on,” he encouraged gently.

“What’s even more perplexing is that Yarden didn’t even raise an objection, and, surprisingly, not even the Oshome family showed any resentment,” he

Healing Xander was still unaware, Athena recounted everything in one breath. “You might not know, but Erwin, the former Chief of the Federal Bureau, was ambushed and killed by bandits on i his way home.”

Xander’s brows knit at the news. “That does’t sit right,” he said. “Chief Erwin was always close to General Perkins. His sudden resignation feels too

2/3

meeting his daughter a few times as a chil

Her name was Madeline. She load a round face and a crescent shaped bathmark on her neck,

Other than that, Athend couldn’t recall much about her. But if Madeline was still alive, they would be around the same age now

Kander saw the anious look on Athena’s taca

investigated this case myself”

etly patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he said, “even if you hadn’t brought it up, I would hun

Athena stared at him, wide–eyed in confusion, then Xander said softly, “if General Perkins hadn’t shared everything he knew. I wouldn’t now. He was my mentor in all but name.

Protecting you is not just my duty,it’s my responsibility”

Xander added with deep remorse, “If I hadn’t been injured, you wouldn’t have had to endure so much. The very day I returned to the capital Nelson to find you, but I was one step too late. Michael had already taken you.

“When I slipped into a coma, I heard you’d returned to the duke’s estate, I kept hoping we’d meet again. But I was wrong about them. I thought they d treat you kindly…I never dreamed they’d hurt you again.”

He paused briefly, then continued with strained voice, “I’ve uncovered a few leads. What happened to your grandfather might be tied to the ‘s

At this point, Xander placed a reassuring hand on Athena’s shoulder and asked her “if I were to take action against the duke’s estate, would you

against mer

Athena froze, her eyes locked onto his, visibly thaken by what she had just heard

All this time, she had thought she was alone in the world, never daring to believe someone might truly care for her and protect her.

Seeing Athena remain silent for so long, her eyes brimming with tears once again, Kinder feared his words had frightened her

He said softly, “if you’re not comfortable with this, I can back off”

Athena gasped softly. “No. I cut ties with them long ago. Whether they live or die is no concern of mine. But if they really dared lay a hand on Grandfather, you won’t need to intervene, make them pay myself

AD

Comment

Send gift